Port Harcourt Epistles: Yes, that very one!
By Chris Duncan
As life progresses here a certain amount of localisation does wear off on you. No more different than adjusting our English in order to be understood in our daily interaction with our people. At the end of the day the desire to be understood and the instruction clearly carried out is the outcome.
A discussion with the gardener requesting that that some small pot plants be arranged around a beautiful palm on the patio resulted in – you want small, small, the size of the pots that is.
A description of something new or problematic results in, yes Bob, wait for it – that very one. The emphasis is the word very – "That goat there, that very one". No choosing anything else, just that very one!
Pidgin English is with some all you can get by with and only those with a lengthy period of time here will be fully conversant with it. Go now means come here, how was your night is not an enquiry as to how you slept but rather enquiring in a polite way as to how you are.
Today I encountered a Nigerian fellow as I sat out by the pool whilst enjoying a pot of tea, he approached me for a cigarette and we engaged in conversation and small talk. It was most refreshing that when be asked if I was from England and when Cape Town was the response his eyes light up and said that Cape Town is the best place in Africa and that even though we had a different skin colour we were Africans.
Then he explained how tired he was of working as an engineer offshore for Shell for 20 years and was now developing property. You just have to love the entrepreneurial spirit of this nation; mind you their love of Naira is the ultimate motivation. He further expressed that he felt being the victim of racism when traveling to Europe.
Experience a wad a manky Naira needing to be counted, you have no idea where they have been but it is the way they count the notes that fascinates. Apply them between your thumb and forefinger and with the other hand count them down. Be sure to wash your hands immediately thereafter.
It was quite refreshing to hear his comments when all our brothers want to do is blame Van Riebeeck and all else that happened on today's woes. They are indifferent to us, they do not see us as oppressors or racists and they have no chips on their shoulders, we are all African.
This weekend Nigeria should have been voting in their general election but I hear from a good source voting was cancelled as it clashed with Valentine's Day!
Valentine's Day, a day taken seriously as those that can celebrate this special day with almost the same reverence as Christmas. Here in the hotel a record number of diners enjoyed their evening at the hotel.
Firstly as I went for breakfast I was greeted to "Happy Val" from the staff. I was at first confused as this greeting came from both male and female alike. Nobody has wished me happy Valentine's Day for years except for Rachelle.
Then I noticed the effort that had gone into their dress, black trousers, white shirts and red bowties. Balloons suspended from the restaurant ceiling, new hairstyles, a romantic gazebo in the lobby with a his and hers chair, cardboard rose petals bedecked the marble floor, a floating red heart with flashing lights in the pool and a variety of menus on offer. Roses where on offer to purchase at a ridiculous price, but then they were surely imported.
All in all a successful evening with all credit to those involved.
Today was a new milestone in my time here.
I cooked Sunday lunch in my apartment with some invited guests, the first meal I have cooked at home and a chance to examine and use the equipment that is in the kitchen.
Friday past we had in one of our conversations a discussion on the merits of Gorgonzola, Roquefort and other blue cheese types with a consensus that we enjoyed them all. So with that in mind we undertook our weekly trip to the shops, my mission – to purchase a bag of Arborio rice for a simple Risotto. This was not to be as the only rice to be had here is long grain and Basmati and on our second shop I found Sushi rice – the closest thing to Arborio and would have to do.
The stove was given a test run and the kitchen cupboards emptied and the various utensils examined and repacked back into a working order, the table laid, some rations drawn from the kitchen and all was set.
examination we noticed some splendid old vintages at reasonable prices. Never being one to miss out on a bargain we selected a Zonnebloem 2005 Pinotage mixed in with more recent vintages at a reasonable price (R120). Thoughts of it storage came to mind but we agreed to purchase a bottle as a test of their handling and we were not disappointed.
So a simple lunch we shared, Roquefort Risotto, crusty bread and a 2005 Zonnebloem Pinotage
It is all about what you make of it, we are certainly making it.